Hamenu, L.Phiri, I.Bon, C.Y.Kim, S.Mwemezi, M.Madzvamuse, A.Kim, S.H.Ko, J.M.2019-11-252019-11-252019-10-20https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cap.2019.10.017http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/33805Research ArticleA novel zwitterionic lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine is fabricated by grafting 1,3– propanesultone onto benzotriazole and then lithiating it. The resultant lithium-benzotriazole-sulfobetaine additive is used as an electrolyte additive in lithium ion batteries in 1M LiPF6 (ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate=1:1). The electrolytes with the lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine shows higher ionic conductivities (2.18 × 10−2 S cm−1) compared to the bare electrolyte (1.07 × 10−2 S cm−1) and greater electrochemical stability (anodic limit at ~5.5 V vs. Li/Li+) than the pure electrolyte (anodic limit at ~4.6 V vs. Li/Li+). The discharge capacity of the lithium cobalt oxide/graphite cells is improved at higher C-rates with the addition of lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine due to increased ionic conductivity. The lithium cobalt oxide/graphite cells with the lithiumbenzotriazole sulfobetaine additive also show stable cycling performance. These findings warrant the use of lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine as an electrolyte additive in lithium ion batteries.enZwitterionIonic conductivityBenzotriazoleSulfobetaineSolid electrolyte interfaceArticle